Real’s title hopes fade after draw

Real Madrid’s La Liga title challenge was left hanging by a thread after a late Humberto Osorio header earned Real Valladolid a 1-1 draw and Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury.

Real, hoping to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of table, remained in third place, four points behind their city rivals and a point adrift of Barcelona with two games to play.

“It is practically gone now but while there is a mathematical chance then Madrid are obliged to keep going. It has been a long season and it takes its toll on the body,” Real defender Sergio Ramos told reporters.

The match started badly for Real when world player of the year Ronaldo hobbled off with a suspected hamstring strain. They went ahead, however, when Ramos, celebrating the birth of son Sergio on Tuesday and his 400th Real appearance, swept home a free kick after 35 minutes.

It was not enough, though, as relegation-threatened Valladolid levelled when Osorio nodded home with five minutes left.

“We wasted a unique opportunity and we will now have to examine it calmly. With 10 minutes to go we relaxed and against a side battling for survival they are always going to make it difficult for you,” added Ramos.

The result opened the door for Barcelona, who know that a win in the final match of the season against Atletico would hand them the title providing they beat Elche away on Sunday.